A/N: Alright, for those of you who don't know, this chapter was somehow replaced with the last one. Therefore, a lot of people who read it in that time must be confused. So let me say something.

I am going to KILL this story! It has given me so much trouble, and even though it's late, I'm tired, annoyed, listening to depressive music...! Right, just didn't need to deal with this right now. I'm using this as a vent for my outrage, so please bear with me for a moment. You, little -Censored for your innocent eyes, ears and other appendages that have the ability to be innocent- story!

I feel better. Now, I must thank NightSky (who signed anonymously) for pointing this out. A thousand thank you's, a lifetime supply of cyber cookies, and many happy wishes to you for catching that. I'm so glad that I'm posting this with a re-dedication (did I have one before) of this chapter to you. My thanks.

And now, I'm done rambeling. I'm just extremely glad that I had a hard-copy of this...

Kagome shook her head. Himitsu was late, as usual. And, as usual, Kagome was left to wait under the awning of the restaurant they were going to.

Groaning, she checked her watch again. Half past six, and Himi was supposed to be there at quarter to.

"Ugh, if she isn't here soon..." Kagome muttered darkly.

She stood from where she had been sitting on the little brick wall surrounding the entrance. She began to pace back and forth as she went through various mental exercises. It was something to help pass the time, at least.

Kagome closed her eyes and widened her range.

She opened her senses to the world, like Kaede had taught her recently. She was able to detect a handful of demons around her, most of them hardly powerful enough to even be detected. She couldn't find any malice from them, and so she was able to relax. She hadn't even realized she had tensed up until that moment.

She turned to tread back towards the wall. Pulling her senses back towards her person, she began to internalize her power. It wasn't that hard; as it was the first thing she had learned. She clearly remembered Kaede telling her that when she did this, it built up her power like someone who lifted weights built up their muscle. It also helped her control it easier, and kept her more balanced. What she had to be balanced against she still had to find out. She had a feeling she was being kept from a big secret or something along that line.

She turned once again, walking back towards the sidewalk. According to Genkai, soon she should be able to actually start molding her abilities into actual weaponry. Kagome was still angry that her greatest weapon was the bow, but she didn't have a choice in the matter. Genkai had told her that every miko had a weapon that was more powerful than others. Most priestesses used only the one, as they didn't have enough time to train in other forms, but some, like Genkai herself, had trained with any type of weapon imaginable.

Kagome's mind wandered to Shizuru. There had to be a reason that the brown-haired girl was there. Kagome had yet to find out, though. It was something important, something that only Genkai, Kaede and Sango knew. Why Sango was able to know and not Kagome baffled the young woman. Shizuru wasn't a demon, as Kagome had learned to read auras by reading Shizuru. She couldn't have a demonic friend or boyfriend because Kagome had yet to see her with anyone other than her two teachers, Sango and herself. It puzzled her to no end.

Kagome, eyes still shut, didn't sense the person until she ran into him. Literally. Her eyes flashed open to be filled with red before she fell down with a squeak.

"So sorry, miss." The speaker was out of Kagome's range, for she had landed on her back. "I'm afraid I didn't see you."

Kagome lifted a hand to her head. "No, it's my fault. I had my eyes closed."

Kagome sat up and got a good look at the person she ran into. Her breath caught in her throat and her jaw dropped. Deep scarlet hair ran down the back of the strange man, so healthy and full that it was unnatural. His eyes were the purest of green, contrasting with his hair. He was tall, almost like Miroku, and had enough muscle seen through a tight -and, oddly, familiar- shirt to show he worked out regularly but wasn't buff.

He chuckled, his calm and even voice soothing. "Well, looks like we're both at fault. My name is Suuichi." Suuichi held out a hand to Kagome.

Kagome, her mouth opening and closing like a dying fish, took his hand. She flushed as she realized how she must be acting. "Kagome, name, mine," she said. Then she proceeded for beating herself up. She was twenty-three, dammit! She had been on dates with plenty of lookers; she shouldn't be acting like a schoolgirl as soon as a hot guy runs into her!

Suuichi smiled. "Nice to meet you, Kagome."

Youko's laugh rang out in his head. Jeez, you've still got it, eh?

Suuichi resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Do you have to act so childish?

Youko sniffed delicately. I'm not childish. I just appreciate how kits find entertainment in the oddest things.

Suuichi sighed, then realized Kagome had said something. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"

Over twenty years and you still can't talk and listen at the same time.

Over five hundred and you still can't crack a decent joke, Suuichi snapped.

Kagome tilted her head slightly. "I just asked if there's any place you need to go. It's the least I can do for running into you."

Suuichi was about to refuse, saying he could find his way back to his own apartment, when a voice spoke from behind him.

"Heyla Kags, this your date?"

Kagome groaned as the man, Suuichi, turned around. "No, Himitsu, I just...ran into him." She hoped her superstitious friend didn't embarrass her, but she knew she was grasping at straws.

Himitsu, who had the arm of her current boyfriend wrapped around her waist, looked in between the two adults before a smile broke on her face. "It's fate, Kagome! Ask him out!"

Kagome, her face turning red, stalked to her friend and grabbed her arm. Himi's date growled slightly and Kagome growled back. "Himitsu, I need to talk to you. Alone. Now."

She dragged her friend over to a shadowed area a short distance away, leaving the two boys to size each other up. "Himitsu," she said, turning to her friend. "I am not going to ask him out."

Himitsu pouted. "Kagome, you can't stay single forever!"

Kagome glared. "Who says I don't like being single?"

"Who says you do?"

"I just met him!"

"Does that matter? It's fate!"

"Your not going to leave me alone about this, are you?"

"Not a chance."

Kagome sighed and rubbed her forehead. "If I do this, you owe me. Big time."

Himitsu wrapped her arm around her friend and began leading her back to the boys. "If you do this, you'll be thanking me by the end of the night."

Suuichi peeled off the shirt he had 'borrowed' from Kagome's wardrobe. He was back in his apartment, about to go on a date. How he had been talked into doing this baffled him. He normally didn't go out with women he just met, as they tended to fawn and drool all over him. Not to mention all of the squealing and other high-pitched noises that came from his dates when he so much as looked at them that tended to make his overly sensitive ears ring.

If we get a headache later, you can't blame me. I had nothing to do with this, Youko defended.

Suuichi sighed as he walked over to his closet and selected a shirt. Did I say anything about you? Why are you jumping to conclusions?

I'm not. Besides, I was following your train of thought. I'm not responsible for anything that happens tonight, and I want you to know that.

Like I'd be able to blame you under normal circumstances?

You learned from the best. Youko preened slightly.

Stop flattering yourself.

Youko stuck out his tongue before retreating into the background. Suuichi was left to let his thoughts wander once more, and they immediately turned towards his date.

Sure, she was cute. She also stopped doing her little fish impression as soon as she got over the initial shock of his looks. That was two points in her favor, but that didn't mean she wasn't annoying.

Shaking his head, he told himself to stop lying. He knew that she was, in fact, an intelligent -if hot-tempered- young woman who held both spirits' interests most of the time. If anything, he should be glad he knew that it would not be a boring date.

Blinking, Suuichi realized he was already finished dressing. He now sported a black dress shirt with matching jeans. He belatedly realized that he had unconsciously echoed Kagome's outfit of a black tank top and skirt. Knowing he didn't have enough time to change without being late, he just decided he would have to grin and bear it.

It's not like the world is going to end, you know, Youko muttered.

This coming from the same person who said that women would bring the universe crashing down onto our heads?

Youko innocently looked away as Suuichi went to his apartment door. Suuichi narrowed his eyes with annoyance at the kitsune. There were times he wished he and Youko were two separate people, if only for the reason to beat up his other half.

Aw, you know you love me.

Suuichi shook his head and began to make his way to the restaurant.

End Chapter

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